โWelcome home!โ
โWelcome back, Father!โ
Iris ran up to Aldo with quick steps, and when Aldo extended his hand, she took it and walked with him into the living room.
โIris, were you a good girl and stayed at home while I was out?โ
โYeah. Butโฆ I finished reading all the books.โ
Iris looked down, a little disappointed. She stayed inside all day, so she quickly read through all the books she had.
โWell, there were so many books, too.โ
โBut itโs fine. Iโll read the same books over and over, like always.โ
โWell, reading books again can bring new discoveries, but donโt you think it would get boring reading the same ones all the time?โ
โUuuhโฆโ
Iris groaned. Indeed, Aldo had not bought Iris any new books for years, so she could understand the struggle of constantly reading the same ones.
โSee? But donโt worry. Iโll buy you some new books, Iris.โ
โFather, are you sure? Do you have enough money?โ
Iris looked up at Aldo with concern. Aldo scratched his head awkwardly.
โWell, Iโll do my best so you wonโt have to worry about money. Actually, Iโm going into a dungeon again.โ
โAgain? Iโm worriedโฆโ
Iris grabbed the hem of Aldoโs clothes tightly. Her attempt to express her worry, as a young girl with weak strength, was a sign that she didnโt want to let go of him.
โAh, itโs okay. Iโll be going with a fellow Digger. So, there shouldnโt be too much danger.โ
โReally? Is that person strong?โ
โYeah, theyโre strong. Theyโre a big guy, like a muscular mountain of muscle from the slums. Iโve already beaten him.โ
โOho!โ
Irisโs eyes sparkled as she listened with interest to Aldoโs story. It seemed like a hero had come to deal with the troublemakers in the dangerous slums.
โHey, hey, what kind of person are they? Are they like a big, bear-like guy?โ
โNo, not at all. Itโs the complete opposite. Itโs a girl. Sheโsโฆ probably around 13 to 15 years old.โ
โA girlโฆ?โ
Iris looked sideways at Aldo, staring at him. Aldo, feeling a little confused, scratched his head.
โW-whatโs with that look?โ
โHmmm, sheโs a girl, huh. Heh, so youโve become friends with a girl, Father.โ
Iris puffed out her cheeks and turned away, sulking. Aldo was flustered, not sure why Iris had suddenly gotten upset.
โAh, Iris, itโs not like Iโm doing anything with her. Iโm way too old for that, and sheโs like a daughter to me.โ
โReally? Like a daughter, huhโฆโ
Irisโs mood darkened even more. She huffed and stomped off toward her bedroom. Aldo quickly followed her, but Iris lay down on her bed.
โIris, are you going to bed now? Isnโt it still too early?โ
โGood night.โ
Iris ignored Aldoโs question and turned her back to him, deliberately pretending to snore in an exaggerated manner.
Aldo, although unsure of what was going on, felt a bit relieved and chuckled quietly.
Children arenโt just good and obedient. They can be stubborn, moody, and show their more difficult sides. But it was a sign that Iris was truly relying on him in her own way.
Still, as a father, it hurt to be disliked by his daughter. So, Aldo spent the day with a mixed feeling of discomfort.
The next morning, Aldo woke up. When he glanced at the bed next to him, Iris was already gone. It seemed like she had gotten up before him.
When he headed to the kitchen, Iris was trying her best to prepare breakfast. Aldo watched with a bit of worry but kept an eye on her.
โAh, good morning, Father.โ
โGood morning, Iris.โ
Iris greeted him with a smile, not showing any trace of the sulking attitude from the day before. Aldo felt relieved that her mood had improved and sat down at the table.
โHere you go.โ
Iris brought over Aldoโs breakfast. It consisted of toast, soup, and saladโan incredibly healthy breakfast. Thanks to these meals, Irisโs once-thin body had started to gain healthy weight, and her complexion had improved.
โAh, thank you, Iris.โ
โFather, youโre going to the dungeon today, right?โ
โWell, before the dungeon, I have some work in the mine. After all, my main job is there.โ
Aldo answered and then took a bite of the salad. The lettuce had a crunchy texture. Fresh, crisp lettuce wasnโt something you often found in the slums, but Aldo had a strange memory of how fresh lettuce was always crisp, and he had always hoped to one day let Iris experience it.
โAfter work, youโre going to the dungeonโฆ Hey, Dad, I hope you come back early today,โ Iris said, casting a quick glance at Aldo with an upward tilt of her eyes. Her pleading gaze made Aldoโs heart waver.
โIs something going on?โ he asked.
โNothing, butโฆ I get lonely when youโre not around,โ Iris replied honestly, expressing her feelings. Aldo wanted to fulfill her request as much as he could, but it wasnโt good to let her think that everything would go her way. There were things that couldnโt be done. He needed to teach her that clearly.
โIn that case, I canโt do it, Iris. I made a promise with Clara,โ Aldo explained.
โClara?โ
โYeahโฆ Sheโs a fellow digger Iโm going into the dungeon with. Sheโs preparing for todayโs promise, so I canโt break it. That would be a betrayal to her. If someone broke a promise to you, wouldnโt you be sad?โ
Iris imagined it. The promise she made with Aldo โ that when she became a magician, he would grant any of her wishes. If Aldo ever broke that promise after her dream came true, she would be deeply saddened.
She figured that Clara would probably feel the same way if Aldo broke his promise to her. Iris felt ashamed of herself.
โIโm sorry, Dad. I was only thinking about myself,โ she said, her head hanging low in sadness.
But Aldo gently patted her on the shoulder.
โItโs okay, Iris. Everyone has moments like that. Especially since youโre still a kid, itโs okay to be a little selfish. Well, there are things you can ask for and things you canโt, butโฆ I hope you can understand that.โ
Aldo spoke to her kindly, and Iris felt a little better. The resistance to Aldo going off with a strange woman began to lessen. Though, she couldnโt deny that there was still a little jealousy lingering in her heart.
โGot it, Dad! But Iโll allow you to go into the dungeon with Clara!โ Iris declared.
โThank you. Iโm glad you understand,โ Aldo replied.
โBut, make sure you come back soon. If you make me feel lonely, Iโll punish you with the โhug sentenceโ!โ Iris said, placing her hands on her hips as she gave a mysterious judgment. Aldo let out a dry chuckle.
โThe โhug sentence,โ huh? That sounds terrifying.โ
โIt is! So, hurry back, okay?โ Iris urged.
โYeah, I got it,โ Aldo replied.
He finished preparing for work and getting his dungeon gear ready before heading to the front door. Iris came to see him off.
โTake care, Dad!โ she said.
โYeah. Iโll be back soon,โ Aldo responded.